This Top 20 list was chosen from over 250 entries by a judging panel of 10 fellow songwriters, who have each made wonderful contributions to the NZ music community.
The judging panel were (in alphabetical order):
Anji Sami (She’s So Rad), Finn Andrews (The Veils), Hollie Fullbrook (Tiny Ruins), Marika Hodgson (Sorrento, Troy Kingi, Kora, Teeks), Natalia Sheppard (MC Tali), Phil Bell (DJ Sir-Vere), Sarena Close (Mousey), Sean Donnelly (SJD), Tom Scott (Avantdale Bowling Club), and Tyna Keelan.
2021 APRA Silver Scroll Award Top 20
- All Your Ships Have Sailed, written and performed by Troy Kingi (Published by Loop Publishing | Kobalt Music Publishing Australia)
- Anna (On My Life), written and performed by Adam Tukiri and Rizván Tu'itahi
- BATHSALTS, written by Clark Mathews, Daniel Vernon, Christan Pianta, Hakopa Kuka-Larsen, performed by DARTZ
- Brains, written by Madeline Bradley, performed by deryk
- Broken Chains, written by Tyree Tautogia*, Sidney Diamond*, Fred Fa'afou*, Ché Ness, Willie Tafa, Solo Tohi, Wasim A. Hussain, Darryl Thompson, Angus McNaughton, performed by Smashproof (*Published by Woodcut Productions)
- Don't Run, written by Sid Diamond* and Nathan King, performed by Sid Diamond (*Published by Woodcut Productions)
- Dragon Fruit (Feat. Louis Baker), written by Tony Sihamau, Lance Fepuleai, Harry Huavi, Louis Baker, performed by Team Dynamite featuring Louis Baker
- Guilty Love, written by Phillipa Brown*, Georgia Nott**, Tommy English***, performed by Ladyhawke and Broods (*Published by BMG Rights Management Australia, ** Third Side Music Inc |Gaga Music and ***Powerteam Tom Songs / These Are Pulse Songs (BMI). Administered worldwide by Concord Music Publishing | Native Tongue Music Publishing)
- Hey Mom, written and performed by Reb Fountain (Published by Native Tongue Music Publishing)
- Hiwa-i-te-rangi, written by Maisey Rika*, Callum Rei McDougall, Chris Chetland, performed by Maisey Rika (*Published by First Nation Music - Aotearoa)
- Jump Rope Gazers, written by Elizabeth Stokes*, Jonathan Pearce, Benjamin Sinclair, Tristan Deck, performed by The Beths (*Published by Gaga Music obo Carpark Publishing)
- Laps Around The Sun, written by Mark Perkins, performed by Merk (Published by Native Tongue Music Publishing)
- Leave Love Out Of This, written by Anthonie Tonnon and Jonathan Pearce, performed by Anthonie Tonnon
- Lightswitch, written by Mona Sanei, Frank Eliesa, performed by CHAII (Published by Big Pop Music Publishing | BMG Rights Management Australia)
- No Flowers, written by Dallas Tamaira and Devin Abrams*, performed by Dallas Tamaira (*Published by Universal Music Publishing)
- Periphescence, written by Daniel McBride, performed by Sheep, Dog & Wolf
- Stand In, written by Deva Mahal and Aaron Livingston, performed by Deva Mahal
- Tangaroa, written by Henry de Jong, Lewis de Jong, Ethan Trembath, Niel de Jong, performed by Alien Weaponry
- Turangawaewae, written by Stephen Harmer, Maisey Rika, Troy Kingi, Tenei Kesha (10A), performed by Tipene, Troy Kingi, and Maisey Rika.
- Your Deodorant Doesn't Work, written by Stephanie Brown, James Fenimore Ikner, performed by Lips
Voting has closed
All APRA members are now invited to vote for their top five Silver Scroll songs from the list of 20, and their top three Maioha Award waiata from the list of five.
These votes from the APRA membership will determine the five finalists and winner of the 2021 APRA Silver Scroll Award, and the three finalists and winner of the 2021 APRA Maioha Award.
You can listen to a Spotify playlist of all top 20 Silver Scroll songs HERE.
You can read more details on judging and voting processes for the Silver Scroll Awards HERE.
“These lists are a wonderful reflection of the incredible music being written all across Aotearoa - songs that tell our stories, lead us to contemplate issues or questions, and make us feel something” says APRA Head of NZ Operations Anthony Healey.
“Of course there are plenty of excellent songwriters who missed out – coming up with these lists is always a hard job for the judging panels, and we thank and commend everyone who continues to create such valuable work.”
Past recipients of the Silver Scroll Award include a long list of iconic Kiwi music stalwarts - from Dave Dobbyn, Don McGlashan and Shona Laing to Neil Finn, Bic Runga, and Ray Columbus. They’re joined by a younger generation of music makers that include James Milne & Luke Buda, Ella Yelich-O’Connor (Lorde) & Joel Little, Tami Neilson, Ruban & Kody Nielson, Marlon Williams, Aldous Harding, Stella Bennett (Benee), Josh Fountain, & Djeisan Suskov.
Past recipients of the APRA Maioha Award include formative kaitito puoro such as Ruia Aperahama, Ngahiwi Apanui, Whirimako Black, Maisey Rika, Stan Walker, Troy Kingi, and Alien Weaponry, who have all taken home Te Ngore - the Maioha award sculpture carved by Brian Flintoff.
The APRA Silver Scroll Award and APRA Maioha Award will be presented at Spark Arena on Thursday, October 14. The other awards presented on the night are:
- SOUNZ Contemporary Award Te Tohu Auaha, celebrating excellence in contemporary composition
- APRA Best Original Music in a Feature Film Award
- APRA Best Original Music in a Series Award
- NZ Music Hall of Fame Induction
You can watch past award presentations and performances HERE.
With thanks to NZ On Air and Hallertau Brewery
